Phalaenopsis orchid plant named &#39;Spotlight&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Spotlight’ particularly characterized by flowers which are yellow/green with red/purple and a yellow/green labellum; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Phalaenopsis hybrida

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Spotlight’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Spotlight’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. Theleaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Spotlight’ is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Spotlight’ originated from a cross made by theinventor in 2001 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female orseed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Liu's Fantasy’,unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivardesignated ‘Matou Tris’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis ‘Spotlight’was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in2009 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culture(mericloning) was first performed in November, 2009 in Cieweg 13,Heemskerk, The Netherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘Spotlight’, which in combinationdistinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. flowers which are yellow/green with red/purple and a yellow/greenlabellum;

2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;

3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissueculture;

4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and

5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Spotlight’, the femaleparent ‘Liu's Fantasy’ is white with yellow and pink in the labellum,the male parent ‘Matou Tris’ has a purple/lilac striped flower withwhite in the center and a purple labellum, whereas the flowers of‘Spotlight’ are yellow/green with red/purple and a yellow/greenlabellum.

Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘Spotlight’ can bemeaningfully compared is ‘212803’ (unpatented). The raceme of‘Spotlight’ is a little shorter and the flowers of ‘Spotlight’ areslightly larger than ‘212803’. Also differs the shape of the labellum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘Spotlight’ showing the colors as true as is reasonablypossible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘Spotlight’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘Spotlight’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flower of ‘Spotlight’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Spotlight’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Spotlight’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivarmay vary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Spotlight’ asgrown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘Spotlight’is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during the flowering phaseof ‘Spotlight’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22° C. during theday and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing ‘Spotlight’ are aminimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. A balanced fertilizerwith level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K is applied. Duration ofgrowth of ‘Spotlight’ from potting size is between 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘Spotlight’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrida.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Liu's Fantasy’, unpatented,        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Matou Tris’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—tissue culture.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 3 mm-6            mm wide and greyed/green in color (RHS 191D); freely            branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue            culture to initiate roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of pot to highest            flower): about 45 cm Spread: about 45 cm.        -   Growth habit.—small; green leaves (RHS N137A) and a            relatively normal raceme.        -   Vigor.—moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19° C. about 1-5 racemes with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6-8 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—half up/horizontal and on two            sides.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—oval; the tip is blunt and            asymmetric.        -   Texture (upper & underside).—smooth and leathery.        -   Pubescence.—none.        -   Mature leaf length.—about 15 to 23 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—about 9 cm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—about 2 mm.        -   Mature leaf color.—upper side: green (RHS N137A). Under            side: green (RHS N137A).        -   Leaf base.—acute.        -   Margin.—entire.        -   Venation.—        -   Pattern.—parallel.        -   Color of midvein.—upper side: green (RHS 139A) under side:            green (RHS 138A).-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.-   Raceme:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—about 1 to 5.        -   Number of flowers per raceme.—about 10-45.        -   Length.—about 40/45 cm.        -   Peduncle.—Diameter: about 4 mm Strength: strong Aspect:            upright Texture: glabrous and smooth Color: green (RHS 137C)            Internode: Length: about 30 mm.        -   Buds.—Height (from base to tip): about 15 mm Diameter (at            midpoint): about 15 mm Shape: oval/egg-shaped with a bump on            one side Color: yellow/green (RHS 145B) Orientation: same as            flowers (forward facing).        -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that            has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a            temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after            a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 1-5            racemes appear with flower buds and. First flowers can be            expected approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a plant            with a leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.        -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;            lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.        -   Fragrance.—no fragrance.        -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3            days after petal and sepal separation. Orientation at            opening: slanted upward and outward. Shape: Typical shape of            Phalaenopsis, see FIG. 2 Size (of single bloom): Height:            about 40 mm Diameter: about 45 mm Quantity and arrangement:            three petals and three sepals that are trimerous,            overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals are more            pronounced than sepals.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2            lateral petals and a labellum. 2 lateral petals: Overall            shape: broadly ovate (little triangular) and weakly cupped            Apex: oval, little pointy Margin: entire and weakly undulate            Base: broadly ovate Length: about 23 mm Width: about 22 mm            Texture: Upper surface: smooth and satiny Under surface:            smooth and satiny Color (when fully opened): upper side:            yellow/green (RHS 154D) which runs into red/purple (RHS 69C)            and violet (RHS 85D). Violet veins are vaguely visible (RHS            84A). Under side: yellow/green (RHS 154D) which runs into            red/purple (RHS 69C) and violet (RHS 85D). Labellum: Overall            shape: 3-lobed with 2 prominent callosities at central            junction of the lateral lobes and base of the midlobe.            Lateral lobes of labellum fold upward about the column; the            midlobe extends forward and is terminated by 2 stubs            appendages at the apex. Lateral lobes of the labellum are            ovate in shape while the midlobe is triangular with a bump            and a rib on it Margin: entire and weakly undulate Apex:            oval Length: about 20 mm Width (not flattened): about 15 mm            Depth of tube created by lateral lobes of labellum: about 8            mm Texture: Upper & under surface: smooth and satiny Color            (when fully opened): Mid lobe, upper side: yellow/green (RHS            151C) which runs into grey/orange (RHS 164C). Under side:            from base yellow/green (RHS 151B and RHS 151C) to white (RHS            NN155A) with a red/purple haze (RHS 70B). At the sides            grey/orange (RHS 164B) which runs into RHS 164A. Lateral            lobes, upper side: At the base yellow/green (RHS 8A) with            greyed/orange spots (RHS 165C and RHS 165B). After that it            runs into greyed/orange (RHS 164C) with a red/purple haze            (RHS 70C). Under side: at base little white (RHS NN1558).            Further yellow/green (RHS 153D) which runs into grey/orange            (RHS 164C and RHS 164D) with a red/purple haze (RHS 70B).            Cirrhi: about 3 mm color: grey/orange (RHS 165B and RHS            165C) Pestle (Callosities): Length: about 4 mm Width (not            flattened): about 5 mm Color: yellow/green (RHS 1A) with            greyed/orange spots (RHS 165C).        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals, one            dorsal and two lateral sepals. Overall shape: elliptical and            weakly cupped Margin: entire and weakly undulate Length:            about 20 mm Width: about 18 mm Apex: dorsal: oval with            little notch; lateral: little pointy Texture: Upper and            under surface: smooth and satiny.        -   Color (when fully opened).—Upper side, dorsal: in the center            yellow/green (RHS 150C). Closer to the edges violet (RHS            85C). The veins are vaguely violet (RHS 84A). Lateral: in            the center yellow/green (RHS 150B and RHS 150D). Closer to            the edges green/white (RHS 157C) with violet (RHS 58C).            Veins are vaguely violet (RHS 84A). Under side, dorsal: from            base yellow/green (RHS 145B and RHS 145C). Runs into white            (RHS NN155B) with a red/purple haze (RHS 70B). Lateral: from            base yellow/green (RHS 150B) and closer to the edges            green/white (RHS 157D) with a red/purple haze (RHS 70B and            RHS 70C).        -   Pedicel.—Length: about 30 mm Diameter: about 3 mm Texture:            glabrous and smooth Color: yellow/green (RHS 145A).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.        -   Column.—Length: about 8 mm Diameter: about 3 mm Color:            yellow/green (RHS 145D).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: two Diameter: about 2 mm Color: orange            (RHS 24A).        -   Ovary.—Length: about 3 mm Diameter: about 2 mm Color:            yellow/green (RHS 145C).-   Disease/pest resistance/ susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.    and to a high temperature about 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named‘Spotlight’, as illustrated and described herein.